If you want to get motivated to clear clutter in your home, go visit a friend who is a minimalist, one of those people who keeps things so simple that their home feels stark to you. 

I speak from experience! Just yesterday Bob and I went to help a dear friend with a few chores in his garden. I hadn’t seen his condo since he had moved in, so he showed me around. I was impressed that he is putting his home together with great thought and care. There is literally NO CLUTTER, except in the guest room which is a work in progress. There are very few decorative items, very few pictures on the wall, very few rugs. Of course, he isn’t finished creating his space, but given what I’ve seen so far, I know it will still be sparsely furnished and decorated when he’s finished. That’s what he likes!

When I got home to our cozy little ranch house, I couldn’t help but compare the feeling of his home to our home. I wouldn’t be comfortable living in a home like my friend’s, but seeing his home, and more importantly, feeling his home, I realized that I do want more simplicity in my home. I want fewer things out in the open, fewer things talking to me energetically.

So, today, before I got caught up in the busyness of my office, I rearranged my supplement drawer so I could move a collection of supplements off the kitchen counter into the drawer. Now at least one surface is more peaceful. I also plan to keep looking for items that I can either give away or pack away for later use. 

The next time you find yourself in a calm, clutter-free space, instead of whipping out the bat to mentally club yourself for your clutter, use that energy to go home and whip a cluttered spot into shape! That way you too will benefit from positive energy of a clutter-free space.

Some people really hate the Christmas holiday season. I love it! Why? It is such a nice break in routine from my day to day life. I’ll admit, Bob and I have our own little rut–go to work, come home, watch TV, go to bed, repeat the next day with small variations and many things to do crammed in here and there. Weekends are spent recovering from the week with occasional fun times with friends.

During the holiday season I enjoy special music I’ve heard for over five decades. I eat foods that are prepared only during the holiday season. I visit friends just because it’s the holidays! And, the decorations! I love the lights on trees, decorating front porches and seen through the windows of houses. Christmas tickles the little kid in me!

It seems to be the “in” thing to grouse about how commercial Christmas has become. If I focused on that I’d miss the all the special sensations, sounds, sights and experiences of the season. Who cares! So what if it’s commercial! People have to make a living and the Christmas season can been a boon for retail. So what! I choose to focus on the blessings of this season, and turn down the volume on any commercial annoyances.

Many years ago I separated from my first husband. It was a sad disturbing experience. When the holidays came around I was still grieving, but I decided that there was no way I was going to let that ruin my Christmas. It was an important decision. It was the first time I consciously realized that I have a choice about how I feel. Christmas was so important to me, had always been a high point in my year. I was not going to forsake that joy, even in the midst of grieving a major loss. I decided that I could enjoy Christmas on my own. I decorated my own little apartment. I listened to Christmas music. I reveled in all the holiday celebrations at work. Sure, I had sad moments, but I didn’t give up on enjoying the pleasure of the season.

And, here we are again at the edge of another joyous Christmas season. Yes, the economy is in rough shape. Many of us have lost big bucks from our nest eggs because of the ups and downs of the stock market. We can focus on that or we can turn our heads toward the lights, smells, sights and sounds, the red, green, gold and glitter of the season and give thanks for those blessings and all those special people who give our lives meaning. We have a choice. I hope you choose joy!

© 2012 Clutter Clearing Community | Debbie Bowie

“Author, Organizing Expert and Feng Shui Practitioner, Debbie Bowie, is a leading authority on clutter clearing to attract more of what you want in life. If you’re ready to clear clutter and move your life forward, get your FREE TIP SHEET, “Feng Shui Tips for Instant Success” at http://www.clutterclearingcommunity.com.

Recently I have been struggling with moodiness–feeling sensitive, self-critical and easily hurt. As is my habit, I considered all the possible causes: hormones , low light, allergic reactions to food, personal problems. None of the normal reasons seemed to explain my recent dip in mood. Then I looked at my schedule. I had changed my schedule from getting up at 6 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. in order to fit in dog walking, meditating and writing before going to work. I had also been seeing an extra client a day several days in a row in order to have a day or two to write. I was way off balance in terms of rest and work. I was working from 4:30 a.m. to about 7 p.m. and getting less than seven hours of sleep a night. Duh! No wonder I was feeling depressed! All work and no play makes Debbie want to run away!

It’s a good thing I teach balance as part of my message to clients! We teach that which we must learn. After my revelation about what I’d been doing to myself, I made the decision to return to getting up at 6 a.m. Just thinking about it lifted my mood! And, the first day I slept an extra hour and a half I felt more like my old self.

‘Tis the season to do too much! Be sure to make getting enough sleep a priority. It could make all the difference in how you experience the holidays.